The family of a Blackpool father-of-three who was this week jailed for six years after being found guilty of the manslaughter of his wife.

The 49-year-old claimed he couldn't remember stabbing wife Angela, also 49, in May last year, was cleared of murder by a jury at Preston crown court.

Today the Parkes family released this statement: "This has been an extremely harrowing and trying time for our family, as we have tried to come to terms with the sudden death of our mother, after our parents had had such a long and happy time together.

"We are pleased that the trial process is now over and that dad has accepted that he did wrong and was responsible for mum's death.

"We would like to thank all our family and friends for their support and help through this difficult time.

"Our mum was a very special person to us and everyone who knew her.

"No jail sentence, no matter how long, can ever bring her back into our lives.

"We know that the sentence of 6years passed on dad is in line with sentencing rules, but also feel, as a family, that it does not properly reflect our loss or the terrible way in which she died.

"In our view this punishment is not one that reflects the severity of the crime, or the full nature of our loss.

"We have lost our mum forever; we would ask now to be left alone to re-build our lives and become the family she always wanted us to be."